Council houses closed over nuisance behaviour

Two council houses in Mansfield have been closed after authorities received numerous complaints about "persistent nuisance and disorder".

Mansfield District Council said both properties on Gladstone Street had been reported as being "connected to criminal activity including illegal drug use and distribution".

Its anti-social behaviour and enforcement team secured three-month closure orders on the homes on 7 January.

The council said the closures were the first time it had used the powers since the introduction of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.

Anne Callaghan, district councillor and portfolio holder for housing, said the homes will be let out again "to families in urgent need on our waiting list", which she said will happen "in due course".

"Anti-social behaviour in any form is treated very seriously by the council, and we urge anyone experiencing it to report it," she said.

"Our officers felt it was better to go down the route of a closure order first, with the eventual aim of taking possession of the properties, because this allows local people to return to a safe and peaceful environment more quickly."

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